The brother of former Malawian late leader Peter Mutharika and 11 other high-profile figures in the current government have been charged with treason for allegedly trying to prevent Joyce Banda from succeeding President Bingu wa Mutharika after his death.
It was alleged in an official report presented to the government that former Foreign Minister Peter Mutharika asked the military to take over power after his brother Bingu wa Mutharika died last year.
This alleged action of Peter Mutharika would have prevented Joyce Banda from assuming the presidency last year.
Since becoming president, Joyce Banda has reversed several policies that late President Bingu wa Mutharika implemented before his death.
She has devalued the currency – one of several moves demanded by Western donors who fell out with President Mutharika during his tenure as president of Malawi.
The news of the arrests on Monday sparked trouble, with hundreds of protesters clashing with riot police in some major cities in the country.
Local reporters were quoted as saying that several current and former ministers were among the 12 people charged in the treason.
The case is now at the magistrate court for the initial process to begin but it is unclear when formal proceeding will begin at a superior court
Treason is a capital offence and the case will have to be moved to the High Court, where the accused will be asked to enter into their pleas subsequently.
There was a heavy police presence outside court, where hundreds of supporters of the former ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) gathered in solidarity with their leaders arrested.
Peter Mutharika is the DPP presidential candidate in elections due next year and many analysts rate him as favorite to win.
Although Joyce Banda was elected as Bingu wa Mutharika’s running mate, the pair had fallen out long before he died of a heart attack last April, after it became apparent that he wanted his brother to succeed him.
Reports of his death were not confirmed for more than a day, leading to widespread anxiety and fears of a power vacuum being created.
The official report said that army commander Gen Henry Odillo had refused Peter Mutharika’s request to seize power after the death of President Bingu wa Mutharika
Issaka Adams / NationalTurk Africa News
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